This isn't beta'd. Any mistakes are my own.
Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God what have we done to you?
Bella's head throbbed to the beat of the music that surrounded her.
Depeche Mode's Precious played around her like a dream. She felt warm and struggled to get out of the blanket that had her cocooned.
"Hey," A gentle voice said and she immediately calmed.
"I don't feel so good," She whispered.
Before she could blink, she was in Edward's arms and he was taking her to the bathroom.
She dry heaved, nothing in her stomach, and started to cry.
"It's alright, baby," He soothed; rubbing her back slowly.
His cold hands felt amazing on her fiery skin and she leaned into him.
"I think you're feverish," He told her.
Quietly, as not to disturb her, he called for Carlisle.
Carlisle knocked before he entered Edward's room.
"How is everything? Oh, hi, Bella, it's nice to finally meet you," Carlisle greeted the pale girl.
'Smells like infection' He thought to Edward.
Edward nodded at Carlisle in agreement.
"Hi, I'm so sorry you have to meet me like this," Bella said in a shaky voice.
Carlisle smiled at her, "Nonsense, my dear, would you like to sit so I can take a look at your arm?" He asked.
She was wobbly on her feet as she tried to walk back towards Edward's bed. Before she could fall over, Edward scooped her up and carried her back to the bed. She thanked him as he situated her on the edge.
"Anything for you," He replied to her thanks.
She smiled up at him with love in her eyes, even as her head swam.
Carlisle's hands were ice against her skin and he apologized.
"They feel so nice," She responded.
"You have a fever," He told her as he unwrapped her arm.
He gave her two motrin pills to lower her temperature. She swallowed them down quickly with the glass of water Edward had left on the bedside table.
Her wound was red and pus filled and smelled of infection. The smell filled the air and made Edward cringe; remembering his days in the hospital when he obtained his medical degree. He didn't have the stomach for it the way Carlisle did.
Carlisle sighed loudly, "I think we caught it in time, you'll have to go on a dose of antibiotics and hopefully it will clear up," He said.
She inhaled deeply, keeping her eyes trained on Edward, "I'm sorry, I can't look anywhere near it or I'll puke," She told him honestly.
Carlisle chuckled, "That's alright, dear, plenty of people can't look at wounds," He comforted her.
She breathed slowly in and out of her nose for a few seconds, "Where's my dad?" She asked as Carlisle cleaned her wound and her bandaged it.
Carlisle looked up at Edward for a second before looking back at Bella, "Your father is very sick, Bella; we are going to do everything we can to help him but right now you need to heal and get stronger," He told her.
She sniffled and nodded, "You're right." She rubbed her eyes, "Thank you so much for offering your help, Mr. Cullen, you don't have to do that," She said sincerely.
He patted her hand gently, "Call me Carlisle, please, and yes, I do, you are part of Edward's life which means you are a part of this family now," He said strongly.
Bella's eyes filled with tears and she sniffled, "You don't know how much that means to me, Carlisle," She said.
Edward stroked his fingers down her blazing cheek before caressing her slowly, "Tell me what you need, Bella," He instructed.
She loved that Edward knew that needed firmness right now or else she wouldn't know what to do with herself. She'd let herself wallow in sadness and it would consume her.
"I'd like to shower," She said quietly.
Carlisle nodded in agreement, "Let me bandage your arm so you don't get water on your stitches," He said and wrapped her arm tightly.
"I'll help her," Edward assured.
"Thank you, son, please, call me if you need anything," Carlisle told them and then flitted out of the room.
Bella sniffled loudly again, embarrassed, "I don't know how to repay you for all of this, Edward," She said; her voice thick.
Edward stared at her, "You never have to repay me for anything, Bella, I will do anything for you," He told her and reigned in back before it got too intense for her.
She held his gaze, her body was still weak with fever and she swayed, "Do you love me, Edward?" She finally got the courage to ask.
Edward was shocked by her bluntness but he smiled at her, a breathtaking smile, "I do, Bella, I wasn't sure if you felt the same way or if I was moving too fast," He replied.
She smiled widely at him, her eyes glossy with tears, "I love you, Edward, it's intense, it's like nothing I've ever felt before, it's consuming me, I'm torn between focusing on my dad and focusing on nothing else except you," She admitted.
He was quiet for a brief second, "I'm a vampire, Bella," He finally said in an exhaled breath.
"I know; I don't care, there's no one else but you for me, Edward," She told him.
Perhaps it is the vampire bonding that makes it so intense for her, Carlisle thought to him.
"Is it normal?" Edward asked Carlisle, too quiet for Bella's human ears to catch.
I have never seen a human and vampire become mates so I am not sure but she seems to me like a healthy young lady and in love for the first time, first love is intense for humans as well, son, Carlisle answered.
"And there is no one else for me, Bella, when vampires bond with another it is for life," Edward told her.
Bella smiled at him again, her heart thudded loudly and filled the room. It was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen on another being and it was for him. Sometimes he wished he was human so that he could feel the pounding of his heart when she smiled at him like that.
"So you'll never think of anyone else romantically?" She wondered.
He shook his head, "You will always consume my thoughts and no one else," He said truthfully.
"Is it as intense for you as it is me?" She asked him.
"Yes, I want every single part of you, I want to be apart of you," He responded and watched her carefully.
"Take me, I'm yours," She said; her voice strong.
He closed his eyes; whispering her name. For a long second he listened to the pounding of her heart.
"Shall I help you shower?" He switched topics.
Her heart started to race excitedly and her face went warmer than it was, "I know you're trying to distract me, Edward, we'll revisit this later," She warned playfully.
He gave her a smirk, "I'm looking forward to it."
She blushed and then stood up. She wobbled slightly before Edward caught her and carried her to the bathroom. He turned the shower on and made it cooler than she normally liked it but she knew it was because she had a fever.
"Have I told you how thankful I am for everything you've done for me, Edward?" She wondered; still leaning against him.
He tilted her chin up so she was looking at him, "You don't have to be thankful for anything, my love, I would give my life for you," He told her.
He could feel her pulse screaming through her as she swallowed loudly.
"And I would give my life for you, Edward, there is no one else," She said and then began to undress.
Edward helped her tug her shirt over her head and then watched as she slid her panties down her slender legs. He undressed quickly and the pulled her into the shower with him. He washed her slowly; making sure to get every inch of her clean. She closed her eyes when his fingers massaged her scalp with shampoo. He enjoyed the sweet sounds she made when he smoothed his hands over her wet skin.
A needy sound slipped through her lips and he smiled.
"What do you need, baby?" He asked her.
She took his soap free hand and put it between her legs, "Touch me," She begged.
He sucked in air through his teeth and slipped his fingers through silky skin. He brought her pleasure within seconds; loving the way she bit her bottom lip. He let her wrap her warm little hands around him. It didn't take long before he was releasing in a loud growl.
"I love it when you growl like that," She sighed into his mouth.
He ran his fingers through her soft hair and tilted her head back so he could deepen their kiss. He had never felt this before, he was so hungry for her. He finally pulled away and rested their foreheads together. They both panted against each other before Bella giggled.
"This is the best medicine," She told him.
He chuckled lowly before kissing her gently once more.
He watched her stand under the water and couldn't believe he had gotten so lucky. She was the most stunning woman he'd ever seen. His vampire eyes traced over every part of her; memorizing her into his memory for as long as he lived.
He helped her out of the shower and then dried her slowly. He lingered at her breasts; making her giggle. Once he was done drying her, he pressed his face against her stomach; kissing her. She sighed happily and combed his hair back; making him purr.
"Will you sleep with me tonight?" She asked tiredly as she crawled under the covers.
"Always," He assured her and climbed in next to her.
She smiled happily and snuggled into him.
A noise pulled Bella from a beautiful dream.
She opened her blurry eyes and looked around.
"Edward?" She mumbled; rubbing her eyes.
Edward wasn't next to her anymore though and the house was silent. A knock on the door startled her and she jumped.
"Hi, Bella, I'm Edward's adoptive mom, Esme, I'm sorry that I startled you but I heard you calling for Edward, he went out to hunt with the others but he should be back soon," Esme said softly.
Esme was beautiful and her motherly aura made Bella feel comfortable.
Bella smoothed her hair down. She felt overly warm from fever. "Hi, Esme, I'm so sorry you have to meet me looking like this," She mumbled.
Esme waved her off and brought over a couple tylenol. Bella swallowed them down quickly before clearing her throat.
"Edward's out hunting?" Bella asked.
Esme nodded in agreement before stroking Bella's hair in a motherly way that made Bella's eyes water. Bella leaned into Esme cool hands gratefully.
"Yes, he and the other kids went out together to go hunting for food, we live off of animal blood, and Carlisle's at the hospital tonight," Esme explained.
Bella nodded distractedly, "I thought I heard something earlier," She said; staring off towards the window.
Esme continued to stroke Bella's hair in a soothing manner, "You're safe here, Bella, I'm here," She reassured.
"Mmm," Bella hummed; eyes still trained on the back window.
It was too dark for Bella's eyes to see anything but the longer she stared the more she swore she saw something move.
"Would you like me to make you some tea? That always helped me settle when I was human," Esme offered.
Bella tore her eyes from the window and looked at Esme.
She softened at how much Esme reminded her of her mom, "That would be really nice, thank you, Esme," She said in a soft voice.
Esme touched Bella's cheek, smiling, before standing. She was at the door; hand on the knob before all hell broke loose.
The window shattered into a million pieces as something white streaked through the room.
Bella's screaming pierced the air and surrounded them as the white figure yanked her out of bed.
Esme unfroze from her position and slammed into the creature. Bella flew backyards; slamming into the nightstand. Glass sprayed around her like a waterfall and she raised her arms to protect her face.
Bleeding, she scooted backwards.
"Run, Bella!" Esme shouted as she rolled on the ground with the creature.
"Dad! Stop it!" Bella screeched.
But when the creature raised it's head to look at her, she realized it wasn't her father.
"I am not your father," It snarled; baring it's fangs at her.
Eye's wide, she looked around for something to stab it with to help Esme.
"Bella, go!" Esme cried; struggling to keep the creature pinned down.
The creature gave a haunting laugh, "There is no where for you to run," He warned her.
Refusing to leave Esme alone with this demon, her eyes found the broken leg of the nightstand.
Standing on shaky legs, she inched closer to the snarling beings. The creature overpowered Esme suddenly and before Bella could react, it ripped Esme's arm off her body.
"Esme!" The scream that ripped through Bella's throat was louder than anything anyone had ever heard.
Bella's entire body burned from within and it felt as if a rush of pure energy burst from her. It threw the creature backwards and outside into the darkness. The windows shattered around them and the house shook as if an earthquake was upon them. The trees surrounding the house toppled and collapsed.
Bella was still shaking with her arms stretched outwards when Edward flew into the house.
"Bella!" Edward cried and rushed forward to catch her as she fell forward.
She lifted her trembling hands and touched her nose. She pulled away and saw them glistening red.
"Ugh," She groaned; grabbing her head.
"Talk to me, baby, are you alright?" He demanded; eyes scanning over her.
She blinked several times, "Is Esme okay?" She finally spoke.
Edward stared down at her with glossy golden eyes, "Esme is alright, Bella, what about you? What happened?" He asked.
She shook her head, dazed, "I don't know, that thing was hurting Esme, she was all I could see and then something burst out of me, I… I can't explain it, all I knew is that I had to save her," She told him.
He smoothed his hand across her sweaty forehead, "It's okay now, baby, you did it, Esme is safe and so are you," He held her close to his chest.
"What's happening to me, Edward?" She asked, fear in her chocolate eyes.
"I don't know, baby, but we will figure it out, we will figure it all out, I promise."
And Bella truly believed him, together they would figure it out.